In a final round that included lightning delays and darkness, Agathe Laisne defeated Kirsten Rudgeley after five playoff holes to win the Joburg Ladies Open. This is Laisne’s second win of the season; her first came at the Ford Women’s NSW Open in March.
Going into the final round, it was a French-led leaderboard with Camille Chevalier and Celine Herbin tied for first place. Laisne trailed the two leaders by one stroke. Rudgeley, Kajsa Arwefjall and Brianna Navarrosa were three strokes behind. Laisne and Rudgeley jumped to the top of the leaderboard, both posting a front nine of 34 (-2). South Africa’s Casandra Alexander caught fire, carding two eagles in her first four holes. After the final round, Alexander, Rudgeley and Laisne were tied.
The playoff took place on the par-5 18th, where Alexander was eliminated on the first hole with a par. Laisne and Ridgeley matched each other for three more holes, making birdies on the second and fourth playoff holes. With darkness closing in, the hole was shortened to a par 3, where Laisne made a birdie to win the tournament.
Laisne has been a top-three player on the Ladies European Tour with two wins and a runner-up in five starts this season. With her win, Laisne earned €49,500 in prize money. Laisne holds the top spot on the Ladies European Tour’s Order of Merit, leading Alexander by roughly 190 points.
The Ladies European Tour will play next week at the Investec SA Women’s Open. The tournament will be played at Royal Cape Golf Club in Cape Town, South Africa.
